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Ed Smart didn't know that Ricci was a felon. That does sound naive, but it does happen. My sister is the office manager for a home contractor here, they just started doing background checks on their people in January. We are too trusting for the most part here in Utah. As far as Ed SMart giving Ricci the car in exchange for work done on the home, so what? It was probably beneficial to both parties to do so.

As far as Gibbons goes, there were rumors swirling around him for a long time. There are no such rumors about the Smarts, except what the NE has published. Ed Smart has done quite well with his businesses (real estate company, he also renovates/builds homes, and sells them.) And, believe you me, if he has used the LDS church to cover up his alleged icky activities, he will be under great condemnation, not only by the community, but by God...

To me, people who're trying to make some sort of tie-in between Ricci and Ed Smart (as in "complicity") are ignoring the simple fact that, with this being an "inside job," it would stand to reason that the perp might be someone who intimately knew both the layout of the home and the family members.

Again, do I know this is true? Do I know Ricci did it?

No, I do not. And in that ignorance I am no worse off than anyone else here.

Ed Smart didn't know that Ricci was a felon That does sound naive, but it does happen. My sister is the office manager for a home contractor here, they just started doing background checks on their people in January. We are too trusting for the most part here in Utah..

LOL! I hold a home contractor license in the state of Utah and there aren't many that are naive and trusting or they'd likely be out of business forthwith. Maybe pennypinching, cornercutting, and downright criminal, but not naive and trusting.

As far as Ed SMart giving Ricci the car in exchange for work done on the home, so what? It was probably beneficial to both parties to do so

So what?!!! The state of Utah as well as the federal govt have specific laws to deal with that type transaction/barter with good reason.

Example: I can hire a licensed painting subcontractor to paint a house at $40 an hour. No other costs incurred and the job is subject to warranty.

I can hire a journeyman painter for $20/hr and in actual cost it winds up pretty close to $30/hr, since I must pay FICA, worker compensation. unemployment, and liability insurance.

An unlicensed competitor, such as it appears Smart is, can hire guys off the street like Ricci and pay $10/hr. Total cost = $10/hr...no taxes, insurance, etc. to worry about unless he gets caught.

There's a lot of money left on the table for these unscrupulous types. Legitimate Utah contractors run up against this all the time.

If I am wrong about Smart's business I will apologize. It is just that I have seen so many do this "real estate broker" ploy to circumvent the contracting laws.